Photograph By CAMERON ALSTON
Edinburg’s State of the City 2024: A Vision of Unprecedented Growth and Prosperity By DAVID A. DÍAZ
In a testament to its remarkable journey of growth and development, Edinburg’s 2024 State of the City Address, delivered by Mayor Ramiro Garza, Jr., was a celebration of the city’s past achievements and a bold declaration of its future aspirations. The event, held at the Region One Education Service Center, was marked by the presence of esteemed state legislators, Sen. Juan Hinojosa and Rep. Terry Canales, who paid tribute to Edinburg’s successes and its promising future.
Edinburg, home to the main campus of the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and the UTRGV School of Medicine, continues to distinguish itself as a city of educational excellence and medical innovation. With the addition of the UTRGV Vaqueros football team and the city-owned Bert Ogden Arena, Edinburg is rapidly becoming a sports and entertainment hub in deep South Texas.
Sen. Hinojosa, emphasizing Edinburg’s attractiveness, highlighted the city’s booming real estate development and burgeoning business landscape. Rep. Canales, echoing Hinojosa’s sentiments, pointed out Edinburg’s status as one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation, attributing this to its quality of life, safety, and sense of community.
Mayor Garza’s address, themed “Experience Edinburg,” showcased the city’s triumphs in 2023, including an unprecedented $397 million in construction activity and a significant increase in residential growth. The mayor also underscored the importance of regionalism, citing the historic Rio Grande Valley Economic Summit and the formation of the South Texas Alliance of Cities as pivotal moments in bringing national attention to the region.
Key infrastructure developments, a reduction in crime rates, and the expansion of cultural and recreational offerings were among the achievements highlighted. Looking ahead, Mayor Garza outlined ambitious projects for 2024, such as improvements to the Ebony Hills Golf Course and a major expansion of the wastewater treatment plant.
Mayor Garza expressed pride in Edinburg’s explosive growth and its diverse offerings, from NCAA Division 1 athletic programs to cultural festivals. “Edinburg is not just a city. It’s an experience,” he said, encapsulating the essence of a city on the rise, poised for even greater achievements in the years to come.
Titans of the Texas Legislature (TitansoftheTexasLegislature.com)
